Bearcats to face Tigers for first time

The Aledo Bearcats and Lancaster Tigers have never met on the football field.

They came close last season. However, while the Bearcats were on their way to a 16-0 season and a 12th state championship, the Tigers were ousted in the 5A Division I Region II finals.

Had Lancaster won that game, a double-overtime 43-41 loss to Forney, they would have met Aledo in the state semifinals. Instead, the Bearcats made short work of the Jackrabbits, winning 43-7.

Come Friday night the two teams will tangle for the first time in their respective histories when the Tigers visit Tim Buchanan Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

Similar feelings

Both the Bearcats and Tigers are coming off tough losses to open the season. While Aledo saw three separate leads slip away in a 35-30 loss at Denton Guyer, Lancaster dropped a 29-21 contest to North Crowley, No. 5 in the state in Class 6A, at The Star in Frisco in the Jerry Jones Classic.

In its loss, Aledo had a blocked punt and a kickoff returned for touchdowns. Lancaster had a first-and-goal at the 2 and lost a fumble, along with having a pick six nullified because of an errant referee’s whistle.

“They kind of feel like us, they had a chance to win and let it get away,” Bearcats coach Robby Jones said.

Defensive end Cooper Cyphers (42) applies pressure during the Guyer game.

Key matchups

Once again the Aledo defensive line will be facing a top quarterback. Carter Jones of Lancaster has committed to play at Nevada.

Last week, the Bearcats D-line put consistent pressure on Guyer’s Kevin Sperry, an Oklahoma commit, and as a result he was 12-of-26 for 178 yards with an interception. This week that line will be squaring off against a Tigers offensive line that averages 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds per man, including guard Ja’Kaylon Elmo (6-6, 380) and Osborne Duncan (6-5, 370).

Strong return

Running back Ray Guillory and offensive lineman Payton Williams made their return from injury last week against Guyer and both pleased Jones with their play. Guillory carried the ball 22 times for 89 yards and a touchdown.

“For guys on the mend all summer, they played well,” Jones said. “They’ll get steadily better and get back to their normal selves.”

Both are juniors.

Defensive end Cooper Cyphers (42) applies pressure during the Guyer game.

Special teams correction

One of the special teams miscues was a blocked punt that resulted in a Guyer touchdown. Jones said it was a case of miscommunication, which has since been corrected.

There was a left side and a right scheme for blocking and some confusion led to the open route for the block.

“Everybody’s job stays the same, no matter which way we’re going,” Jones said.

Jones also noted, “We’re focusing more in practice, everybody knowing what their assignments are.”

New districts

Both the Bearcats and Tigers are in tougher districts this season. While Aledo is still in 3-5A Division I, and they are still in with Denton Ryan, the new No. 1 team in the state, newcomer Richland is ranked No. 7.

Lancaster moved up to Class 6A and was placed in the renowned “District of Doom.” District 11-6A includes two-time defending 6A Division II state champion DeSoto, No. 1 in the state this season, and two-time defending 6A Division I state champion Duncanville, No. 2 in the state this season.

Also, for good measure, always tough Cedar Hill is No. 22 in 6A.

The Tigers are picked fifth in the league, but Jones said not to let that prediction fool you.

“If they were still 5A they’d be a top 10, without question,” he said.

Speedy foe

Lancaster has long been known as one of the fastest sports programs in the state for both girls and boys. The track program has a plethora of state championships, the basketball team gets downcourt with blinding speed and the football team can do the same.

“We’ll get used to speed,” Jones said. “We’ll have to play at a faster pace than we’re accustomed to.

“We’ll see that in district against Ryan, and Richland has speed also. But Lancaster is loaded with fast players.”

Bouncing back from a loss

Since 1994 the Bearcats have lost back-to-back games in a season only five times, in 1995, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2022. While the losses kept them from a postseason berth in 1995, the subsequent seasons saw them reach the state quarterfinals twice (2003 and 2005), semifinals once (2007) and win state (2022).

The only time they dropped three straight in same span was in 2005. That team ended the regular season 5-5, but advanced four rounds in the playoffs.

Subvarsity starts strong

Three of Aledo’s four subvarsity squads began the season with victories. Freshman and junior varsity Black each posted shutouts and JV Orange surrendered a single touchdown.

This week, freshman Orange and Black host Lancaster, while JV Orange travels to Lancaster. JV Black is at Mansfield. All games are on Thursday.

Rankings

Last week’s loss dropped the Bearcats from the top spot in Class 5A Division I to No. 3. They were replaced by Ryan, which previously held the No. 2 position, with Highland Park now No. 2.

District foe Richland remained No. 7 this week.

Nationally, the Bearcats are ranked 84th by Maxpreps, while Ryan is No. 94.

Elsewhere in District 3-5A Division I

Last week’s results

This week’s games

Game at a glance

Lancaster Tigers (0-1) at Aledo Bearcats (0-1)

When: 7;30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 at Tim Buchanan Stadium

Last week: Lancaster lost 29-21 to North Crowley at The Star in Frisco in the Jerry Jones Classic, Aledo lost 35-30 at Denton Guyer.

All-time series: This is the first meeting ever between the Tigers and Bearcats.

Returning starters: Lancaster 5 offensive/5 defensive.

Aledo offensive players to watch: RB Ray Guillory, in first game back from injury, rushed 22 times for 89 yards and a TD; RB Kaden Winkfield, in sharing duty with Guillory, rushed 18 times for 85 yards and a TD; WR Blake Burdine, caught three passes for 20 yards and returned two kickoffs for 33 yards.

Lancaster offensive players to watch: WR Emmanuel Choice, 40 catches, 604 yards, 7 TD in 2023, committed to Oklahoma; QB Carter Jones, 2,032 yards, 20 TD in 2023, committed to Nevada.

Aledo defensive players to watch: CB Adrian Fuller, 5 tackles (all solo), interception; LB Owen Henderson, 6 tackles; S Kamron Hall, 6 tackles (all solo).

Lancaster defensive players to watch: LB Ke’Brion Winston, 126 tackles, 9 for loss, 12 sacks in 2023, committed to Cal; FS and Texas Braylan McDonald, 62 tackles, 8 for loss, 2 sacks, interception in 2023.